These days, all we want is to keep the pandemic at bay. Sanitizers and masks have become our best friends and we always want to wash our hands and disinfect the surfaces. While we are obsessed about killing germs to avoid Coronavirus, it is also vital to protect our metabolism from bacteria and viruses. How? We can keep our family healthy by changing our eating habits to improve our immune system.
What Is the Immune System?
The immune system, made up of proteins, organs and cells, is a natural mechanism that protects our body from invaders, including microbes, harmful toxins and viruses, including Covid-19. When your immune system is robust and functions well, you are less prone to illnesses, hence the importance of boosting it.
Here are 7 foods that you can add to your diets to increase your immunity:
1. Citrus Fruits
We’ve all heard about it! Everyone will tell us to take lots of vitamin C as soon as we catch a cold. And, citrus fruits, including oranges, limes, tangerines and lemons, are high sources of this potent vitamin that build up the immune system. Vitamin C also increases the production of white blood cells, which are essential to help your body fight infections.
You must note that your body does not store or produce vitamin C and that’s why health specialists recommend daily intake.
2. Turmeric
A bright yellow spice, turmeric is mainly used in Asian curries to add color and flavor. Considered as an Indian gem, it has been used for years as an anti-inflammatory ingredient to fight rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Turmeric gets its distinctive color from curcumin, which showed promising signs in boosting the immune system. If you don’t know how to increase your turmeric intake besides adding it to curries, we recommend trying it in drinks, like this homemade golden milk.
3. Garlic
An ingredient that can be found in every kitchen, garlic is usually used to enhance your meals’ taste. Also known as a must-have for health, it may slow down the arteries’ narrowing and help lower blood pressure. When garlic is sliced, crushed, or chewed, it produces allicin, an oily yellow liquid with immune-boosting properties.
4. Ginger
Garlic is an antibacterial and antiseptic agent that helps decrease inflammation during a sore throat or any other inflammatory diseases. It is also a go-to remedy for nausea and to keep a healthy stomach. Thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, ginger is effective in improving your metabolism’s immunity. We advise that you consume ginger tea in the morning to boost your immune system.
5. Green Tea
This “superdrink” will boost your metabolism while giving you many other benefits. Green tea contains healthy nutrients and anti-oxidants that will control your blood sugar and improve your brain function. It also has fat-burning properties that will activate detoxification in your body and stimulate weight loss.
6. Honey
The best alternative to sugar, honey, is rich in minerals, vitamins and antioxidant and is a widespread cure for sore throat. While honey can alleviate many other health problems, including blood purification and hypertension, it is also an effective immune system booster.
7. Nuts and Seeds
Another vitamin that keeps the body’s immunity healthy is vitamin E. However, this vitamin is fat-soluble and needs fat to be adequately absorbed. A half-cup of nuts like almonds will do the trick as these are high sources of both vitamin E and healthy fats. You can also opt for dates, apricot, sunflower or sesame seeds rich in Omega-3, magnesium and zinc.
It is important to note that eating these immune-system boosters only will not be enough to help fight all infections. Make sure that you lead a healthy lifestyle to keep viruses away!
